U.S. Official Cites Hamas Buildup.

Israel Faxx, March, 2007

By Reuters

Iran has boosted Palestinian militias under Hamas, a U.S. official was quoted as saying.

Reuters cited Washington sources in reporting Wednesday that Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton, the Bush administration's security envoy in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, told a closed-door briefing of U.S. congressional leaders and staff that because of Iran sponsorship, Hamas had a better armed and trained militia than the more moderate P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas also had a larger force than Abbas.

Dayton was further quoted as saying that should the Hamas buildup in the Gaza Strip remain unchecked, it could prompt Israeli military action.